Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park
Human triggering of sensitive weak layers is likely. Careful evaluation of the snowpack is required for safe travel.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in alpine lees. Recent snowfall mixed with wind loading has created storm slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The Dec 15th layer is down 100cm. After a month under the snow, this surface hoar remains widespread and well-preserved. Daily snowfalls add up. This incremental loading can increase the sensitivity of deep layers that may be forgotten, but not gone.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle accompanied strong winds yesterday morning with several size 2-3 avalanches occurring in steep north facing alpine paths.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30cm of new storm snow sits atop the January 16 surface hoar layer. Warm temps and mod-strong S-SW has contributed to slab formation in the upper snowpack. The December 15 surface hoar is approximately 100cm down and is highly visible in profiles. This deeper instability is still producing sudden planar results in stability tests.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries bringing trace amounts of precipitation today. Alpine temperatures will be steady around -8 with freezing levels reaching 1000m. A series of fronts continues to bring light snow to Rogers Pass through the weekend, with 4cm on Saturday, 9cm on Sunday and 7cm on Monday. Expect Moderate SW Winds.
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The Jan 16 surface hoar is widespread and buried 30cm. Incremental loading combined with wind action has led to slab development over this weak interface. The January 4th surface hoar is down 60cm and could be triggered by a storm slab avalanche.